Industry Newsletter from Mass Farmers Markets | |
MFM Markets are Open! Find more information under "MFM Markets" here. | |
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Attention Farmers and Vendors! Applications are open for the Fish & Farm Market, running from June 22nd - October 26th, 2024!
Take advantage of this amazing opportunity to connect with this vibrant community and grow your farm and/or business!
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2024 MFM Vendor Applications are Still Open!
Attention vendors! The 2024 MFM Market Vendor Applications are STILL open for both returning and new vendors at Central, Copley, Davis, Fish & Farm, and Kendall Square Farmers Markets. Whether you're a seasoned participant or brand new, apply today to join us for the 2024 season!
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Hosting Public Officials at Your Market
Hosting public officials (for example, state legislators or town officials) at your market is a great way to build relationships with policy makers who can support your market and the local food system. MFM is encouraging markets to invite officials to their markets this season. MFM has written up a guide to Hosting Public Officials at Your Farmers Market to help plan a successful visit. If you are inviting state legislators, please be in touch with Becca Miller, Policy Director at the Mass Food System Collaborative. Becca organizes the Campaign for HIP Funding, and would be happy to help support the visit. You can reach Becca at rebecca@mafoodsystem.org.
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Have you joined our online forum?
MFM's Statewide Market Managers Forum is an online forum available to all Massachusetts farmers market managers and select partner organizations. Participants can access resources, be notified about important industry happenings, and participate in our regular market manager Zoom meetings and conferences. In addition, there's a forum where you can ask questions, discuss ideas and share strategies with other market managers. To join, please fill out this form: Join MFM's Statewide Market Managers Forum
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In Partnership with SBN and Boston Local Food, we’ve posted our lists of farmers markets seeking vendors and vendors looking to sell at farmers markets, and it includes all the contact information you need to get in touch. With over 80 vendors and markets already on the lists and more joining daily, these lists will help markets and vendors make the perfect match. If you are interested in being included on the lists, head to our Linktree and fill out the form for your needs. | |
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FMNP Instructions are Now Available
Mass Farmers Markets has sent out FMNP packets. If you are an FMNP farmer/vendor, you should have received your packet this past week at the latest. If you have not received your packet, or have any questions or concerns about FMNP Coupons, please contact coupons@massfarmersmarkets.org.
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FMNP Training for New Market Managers
New markets and market managers are required to attend a training session on accepting Farmers Market Nutrition Program coupons for WIC participants and low-income seniors at your market. Training sessions have been scheduled for:
- August 14th (Wednesday): 5:30–6:30 p.m.
- August 20th (Tuesday): 1-2 p.m.
All will be held virtually via Teams. Please contact Jennifer Donnelly at MDAR at jennifer.donnelly@mass.gov to register for a training. Additional dates will be planned for future months. Additional HIP Training can be found here.
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SNAP Equipment and 1-year free TotilPay subscription extension: The National Association of Farmers Market Nutrition Programs (NAFMNP) has been awarded a cooperative agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service (USDA FNS). Read MarketLink's Press Release here, see if you're eligible here, and follow the Step-by-Step guide to apply here.
There is no application deadline.
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Mark Cullings, president of the Hingham Farmers Market board, passed away on August 5, 2024. Mark was dedicated to Hingham and the Hingham Farmers Market, and was also a great advocate and supporter of the Massachusetts farmers market community. He was one of the co-founders of the Mass. Farmers' Market Management Facebook group, and always willing to share his thoughts and advice with others running farmers markets. We share our sympathy with his family and with the Hingham Farmers Market. He will be missed.
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The 2024 National Agritourism Survey is now collecting responses. All agricultural operations that welcome visitors—whether for on-farm direct sales, educational programs, entertainment, farm stays, recreation, special events, and more—are invited to complete the survey. By participating in this survey, you'll help us pinpoint the types of support farmers like you require—whether it's getting business assistance, developing networks, applying for grants, or navigating zoning and liability issues. If you have questions about this survey, please contact Claudia Schmidt, Penn State Extension specialist at cschmidt@psu.edu.Thank you for your time spent taking this survey. | |
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Mass Farmers Markets is here to support all farmers markets across the state. But markets that join MFM as Member Markets get additional benefits and support.
By becoming a Member Market, you’ll have access to:
- Discounts on liability insurance
- An extensive library of resources, including information on food access programs, legal issues, fundraising and grants, marketing and more
- Grant, marketing and other opportunities available only to MFM members
- Free membership to Farmers Market Coalition (a $40 value)
- And more
Plus, you’ll be supporting Mass Farmers Market in its statewide work supporting and advocating for farmers markets. Check one thing off your 2024 market season to-do list and join or renew now!
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Full Member Benefits:
Fiscal Sponsorship, Access to Group Liability Coverage, Support & Assistance, Promotion & Marketing Support, Access to MFM-sponsored grants, Access to our extensive library of resources, Discounted Constant Contact Email Marketing Services, FREE Annual membership to Farmers Market Coalition, Attendance and Voting rights at our Annual Meeting, Vendor Job Search Assistance.
Learn more about MFM Membership
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Member Markets: Get in touch if you want to collaborate on social media, PR, or if you have other marketing that you want to reach MFM's audience. Share your ideas and/or events and we can organize a post, campaign, or other outreach with you. | |
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Marketspread makes finding farmers markets easy for customers across the state.
Market Managers: set up or update your profile to drive traffic to your market.
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We have created an online forum for market managers and partner organizations to collaborate, share ideas and resources, ask questions, and support each other. If you haven't joined yet, you can sign up here. | | |
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About Mass Farmers Markets
For 45 years, MFM's been working on behalf of farmers markets throughout the state. We help create, sustain, and promote farmers markets and the many benefits they bring. We help connect more individuals to local and healthy food through farmers markets systems. At the core of MFM's mission, we support social and economic development and the health of individuals statewide - collaborating extensively with community partners and other stakeholders.
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